THE weapon allegedly used to commit the crime has been tendered and admitted as an exhibit in the policeman murder case at the Berbice Assizes yesterday.

Firearms expert, Sergeant Eon Jackson, who is attached to the Ballistics Section of the Guyana Police Force (GPF), at Eve Leary, Georgetown, told Justice Winston Patterson and the mixed jury that, on opening a marked envelope given him by Corporal Shurland Semple, he saw a .38 ‘Taurus’ revolver with traces of gunpowder residue on the barrel.

However, the witness said he could not establish how recent any ammunition was fired from the gun but noted it was in working order.

Jackson said other parcels he received contained four fired .38 casings and a .38 special live misfired round were all dissembled.

He said he also received, from Detective Corporal Cranston Fraser, a fired .38  special lead bullet and, on examining it, concluded that it was discharged from the .38 Special Taurus and after placed his initials on the examined items.

Under cross-examination by Defence Counsel Mursalene Bacchus, Jackson said he did not agree that only a ballistics expert can determine that the two fired bullets were from the said gun.

When referred to the deposition he gave at the preliminary inquiry (PI), the witness admitted telling the magistrate that only a ballistics expert could make such a determination.

Jackson concurred that there is a difference between the study of ballistics and firearms.

He said shots and bullets are fired when the hammer of a weapon makes contact with the primer and causes a loud explosion.

Jackson said ammunition comprises gunpowder but hot explosive gases, flames and smoke are also emitted upon the firing.

He said the flames can be seen from 50 yards away by an observer.

In another answer to the lawyer, Jackson said guns do not emit heat which can be observed.

Depending on the type of firearm, an ungloved shooter may or may not leave fingerprints, the witness said.

He pointed out that the condition of the metal, in addition to the grip of the weapon makes it difficult to leave fingerprints.

According to Jackson, if an ungloved hand fires a gun, gunpowder residue should remain on it, more so with a revolver than a pistol.

He said nitrate is a part of the smokeless powder which can be on the hand and it is common Police procedural practice to examine a shooter’s hands.

The witness, who said he has no degree in Forensic Science, Criminology, Mathematics, Chemistry or Physics, opined that there are compounds available, such as paraffin, with which to look for the presence of gunpowder residue.

The trial is continuing, in which Dorsett Mc Cammon is indicted for the unlawful killing of policeman Micah Cort during the Soca Monarch Competition semi-finals, at Esplanade in New Amsterdam, on the night of February 10, 2007.